Graduate Student Handbook

This page is designed for students entering or currently enrolled in the M.A. program in Historical Resources Management at Idaho State University. It lists information on important stages to keep in mind as one progresses through the program, common forms, suggested equipment for students, and links of interest in historical GIS, digital history, and graduate education at ISU.

TIMELINE OF PROGRESS

First Semester

Meet with your advisor or graduate program director to discuss research focus (thesis or non-thesis) and identify committee members.

Complete HIST 5590 Cartography and HIST 6610 History in the Digital Age

Use HIST 6610 and other courses to help shape the scope, scale, and major questions of your research.

Second Semester

Complete HIST 6600 Proseminar and use that courses to help shape the historiography of your research.

Students planning to write a thesis must submit a thesis proposal to the student's committee and hold a meeting to discuss the proposal and gain committee approval no later than the first month of the semester prior to graduation.

Enroll in either HIST 6645 Independent Research Project or HIST 6650 Thesis.

Complete Program of Study, including approval by the Graduate School (no later than semester prior to graduation).

Final Semester

Enroll in either HIST 6645 Independent Research Project or HIST 6650 Thesis.

Complete Conferences and Grants and present your research at an appropriate academic venue.

Follow all graduation guidelines, as required by the Graduate School, including application for graduation by the first few weeks of the semester.

Complete required internship either prior to or during this semester. Students may also complete the internship during the summer semester following thesis defense or exams.

Students completing a thesis must enroll in thesis credits and arrange with committee for defense prior to Graduate School deadlines. Follow the Graduate School's "Instructions for Preparing Theses." Note that thesis defenses are usually not possible during a summer semester.

Non-thesis students must complete written and oral exams prior to Graduate School deadlines. Note that examinations are usually not possible during a summer semester.

STUDENT FUNDING

Since 2011, we have provided full assistantships (stipend, tuition waiver, & health insurance) to all our full-time students.

Funding from the department is limited to the number of research and teaching assistantships available each year, which varies. The department makes offers for funding in the spring or summer for positions that begin in August. Applicants and current students should inform the graduate program director by March 1 if they would like to be considered for an assistantship. Admissions applications submitted in full by March 1 receive priority over later applicants for funding.

Students from other states in the western U.S. qualify for in-state tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Programs. Contact the department chair or graduate program director to request this waiver.